Report of Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote, U. S. Navy, February 7, 1862

CAIRo, ILL., February 7, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 6th instant, at 12:30 p.m., I made an attack on Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, with the ironclad gunboats Cincinnati, Commander Stembel; the flagship Essex, Commander Porter; Carondelet, Commander Walke, and St. Louis, Lieutenant Commanding Paulding; also taking with me the three old gunboats, Conestoga, Lieutenant Commanding Phelps; the Tyler, Lieutenant Commanding Gwin, and the Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shirk, as a second division, in charge of Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, which took position astern and inshore of the armored boats, doing good execution there in the action, while the armored boats were placed in the first order of steaming, approaching the fort in a parallel line.

The fire was opened at 1,700 yards distant from the flagship, which was followed by the other gunboats and responded to by the fort. As we approached the fort under slow steaming, till we reached within 600 yards of the rebel batteries, the fire both from the gunboats and fort increased in rapidity and accuracy of range. At twenty minutes before the rebel flag was struck, the Essex, unfortunately received a shot in her boilers, which resulted in the wounding, by scalding, of 29 officers and men, including Commander Porter, as will be seen in the enclosed list of casualties. The Essex, then necessarily dropped out of line, astern, entirely disabled and unable to continue the fight, in which she had so gallantly participated until the sad catastrophe. The firing continued with unabated rapidity and effect upon the three gunboats as they continued still to approach the fort, with their destructive fire, until the rebel flag was hauled down, after a very severe and closely contested action of one hour and fifteen minutes.

A boat containing the adjutant-general and captain of engineers came alongside after the flag was lowered and reported that General Lloyd Tilghman, the commander of the fort, wished to communicate with the flag-officer, when I dispatched Commander Stembel and Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, with orders to hoist the American flag where the secession ensign had been flying, and to inform General Tilghman that I would see him on board the flagship. He came on board soon after the Union had been substituted by Commander Stembel for the rebel flag on the fort, and possession taken.

I received the general, his staff, and some 60 or 70 men as prisoners, and a hospital ship containing 60 invalids, together with the fort and its effects, mounting twenty guns, mostly of heavy caliber, with barracks and tents capable of accommodating 15,000 men, and sundry articles, which, as I turned the fort and its effects over to General Grant, commanding the army, on his arrival in an hour after we had made the capture, he will be enabled to give the Government a more correct statement than I am enabled to communicate from the short time I had possession of the fort.

The plan of attack, so far as the army reaching the rear of the fort to make a demonstration simultaneously with the navy, was frustrated by the excessively muddy roads and high stage of water preventing the arrival of our troops until some time after I had taken possession of the fort.

On securing the prisoners and making necessary or preliminary arrangements, I dispatched Lieutenant Commanding Phelps with his division up the Tennessee River, as I had previously directed, and as will be seen in the enclosed orders to him to remove the rails and so far render the bridge incapable of railroad transportation and communication between Bowling Green and Columbus, and afterwards to pursue the rebel gunboats and secure their capture if possible.

This being accomplished, and the army in possession of the fort, and my services being o at Cairo, I left Fort Henry in the evening of the same day with the Cincinnati, Essex, and St. Louis, and arrived here this morning.

The armored gunboats resisted effectually the shot of the enemy when striking the casemate. The Cincinnati, flagship, received 31 shot; the Essex, 15; the St. Louis, 7; and Carondelet, 6; killing 1 and wounding 9 in the Cincinnati and killing 1 in the Essex, while the casualties in the latter from steam amounted to 28 in number. The Carondelet and St. Louis met with no casualties.

The steamers were admirably handled by their commanders and officers, presenting only their bow guns to the enemy to avoid exposure of the vulnerable parts of their vessels. Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, with his division, also executed my orders very effectually, and promptly proceeded up the river in their further execution after the capture of the fort. In fact, all the officers and men gallantly performed their duty, and, considering the little experience they o had under fire, far more than realized my expectations.

Fort Henry was defended with the most determined gallantry by General Tilghman, worthy of a better cause, who, from his own account, went into the action with eleven guns of heavy caliber bearing upon our boats, which he fought until seven of the number were dismounted or otherwise rendered useless.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. H. Foote,                       

Flag-Officer.

Hon. GIDEoN WELLEs,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

[Report of same date and like tenor to Major-General Halleck.]

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Volume 22, p. 537-9

Details of the Bombardment and Capture of Fort Henry. Incidents, &c., February 10, 1862

The Cincinnati Gazette and Commercial’s Cairo correspondence give the following account of the bombardment and capture of Fort Henry:

Yesterday, (February 6,) at 12½ p. m. the gunboats Cincinnati, St. Louis, Carondelet, and Essex, the Tyler, Conestoga and Lexington bringing up the rear, advanced boldly against the rebel works, going to the right of Painter Creek Island, immediately above where, on the east shore of the river, stands the fortifications, and keeping out of range till at the head of the island, and within a mile of the enemy, passing the enemy in full view of the rebel guns.  We steadily advanced, every man at quarters, ever ear strained to catch the flag-officer’s signal-gun for the commencement of the action.

Our line of battle was on the left, the St. Louis next, the Carondelet next, the Cincinnati, (for the time being the flag ship, having on board Flag officer Foote,) and the next the Essex.  We advanced in line, the Cincinnati a boat’s length ahead, when at 11:30 the Cincinnati opened the ball, and immediately the three accompanying boats followed suit.  The enemy was not backward, and gave an admirable response, and the fight raged furiously for half an hour.  We steadily advanced, receiving and returning the storm of shot and shell, when getting within three hundred yards of the enemy’s works we came to a stand, and poured into him right and left.  In the meantime the Essex had been disabled, and drifted away from the scene of action, leaving the Cincinnati, Carondelet and St. Louis alone engaged.

As precisely forty minutes past one, the enemy struck his colors—and such cheering, such wild excitement, as seized the throats, arms, or caps, of the four or five hundred sailors of the gunboats can be imagined.  After the surrender, which was made to Flag-officer Foote by Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, who defended the fort in a most determined manner, we found that the rebel infantry encamped outside the fort, numbering four or five thousand, had cut and run, leaving the rebel artillery company in command of the fort.

The fort mounted seventeen guns, most of them 32-pounders, one being a magnificent 10-inch columbiad.  Our shots dismounted two of their guns, driving the enemy into the embrasures.  One of their rifled 32-pounders burst during the engagement, wounding some of their gunners.  The rebels claimed to have but eleven effective guns worked by fifty-four men—the numbers all told of our prisoners.  They lost five killed and ten badly wounded.  The infantry left everything in their flight.  A vast deal of plunder has fallen into our hands, including a large and valuable quantity of ordnance stores.

Gen. Tilghman is disheartened.  He thinks it one of the most damaging blows of the war.  In surrendering to Flag-officer Foote, the rebel General remarked, “I am glad to surrender to so gallant an officer.”  Flag-officer Foote replied, “You do perfectly right, sir, in surrendering; but you should have blown my boat out of the water before I would have surrendered to you.”

In the engagement the Cincinnati was in the lead, and flying the flag officer’s pennant, was the chief mark.  Flagg-officer Foote and Capt. Stembel crowded her defiantly into the teeth of the enemy’s guns.  She got thirty-one shots, some of them going completely through her.

The Essex was badly crippled when about half through the fight, and crowding steadily against the enemy.  A ball went into her side-forward port, through the heavy bulkhead, escaping steam scalding and killing several of the crew.  Captain Porter, his aid, L. P. Britton, Jr[.], and Paymaster Lewis, were standing in a direct line of the balls passing, Mr. Britton being in the centre of the group.  A shot struck Mr. Britton on the top of his head, scattering his brains in every direction.  The escaping steam went into the pilot-house, instantly killing Mr. Ford and Mr. Bride, pilots.  Many of the soldiers, at the rush of steam, jumped overboard and were drowned.

The Cincinnati had one killed and six wounded.  The Essex had six seamen and two officers killed, seventeen men wounded and five missing.  There were no casualties on the St. Louis or Carondelet, though the shot and shell fell upon them like rain.

The St. Louis was commanded by Leonard Paulding, who stood upon the gunboat and wrought the guns to the last.  Not a man flinched, and with cheer upon cheer sent the shot and shell among the enemy.

THE REBELS NOT TRUE.—It is reported, and believed at Paducah, that the rebel troops at Fort Henry were not true to the rebel cause and took advantage of the opportunity offered by an attack to run away from a fight that was distasteful to them.

IT WAS A NAVAL VICTORY.—It appears that this victory was entirely a navel one—the troops of the expedition not having come up to the scene of action until the rebels had surrendered.  The gunboats engaged are a part of those strong iron-clad river boats, or turtles, which were built within the last few months, at, St. Louis, Carondelet and other points and which were originally destined for Gen. Fremont’s expedition down the Mississippi.  Commodore Foote mentions nine of these vessels as having been in the engagement.

ARMAMENT OF THE GUNBOATS.—The Essex, 9 guns, Commander H. [sic] D. Porter, U. S. N.; Carondelet, 13 guns, Commander H. Walke, U. S. N.; Cincinnati, 13 Guns, Commander R. N. Stembel, U. S. N.; St. Louis, 13 guns, Lieutenant Commanding Leonard Paulding, U. S. N.; Conestoga, 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, U. S. N.; Taylor [sic], 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding W. Gwin, U. S. N.; Lexington, 9 guns, Lieutenant Commanding J. W. Shirk, U. S. N.

The boats are built very wide, in proportion to their length, giving them almost the same steadiness in action that a stationary land battery would possess.  They are constructed upon the same principle as the famous iron battery at Charleston, the sides sloping both upward and downward from the water line, at an angle of 45 degrees.  The bow battery on each boat consists of solid oak timber 26 inches in thickness, plated on the exterior surface with iron 2½ inches thick.  The side and stern batteries are somewhat thinner, but have the same thickness of iron over that portion covering the machinery.  The boats are not plated on the roof which consists of a 2½ inch plank.

The most dreadfully savage contrivance upon these boats is that to prevent boarding.  Each boat is supplied with a number of large hose-pipes for throwing hot water from the boilers with a force of 200 pounds pressure to the square inch.  Any human being who shall encounter this terrible stream of hot water will be boiled in an instant.

The Conestoga, Taylor [sic] and Lexington are not of the same model or character as the others, being simply Mississippi River steamboats rebuilt with perpendicular bulwarks and pierced for guns.

VALUE OF THE VICTORY.—There is another and stronger rebel fort on the Cumberland, a few miles eastward of the scene of our present victory; but considering the fact that our troops are now in the rear of that fort, and learning, as we do, from the West, the movement that is on the lapis to bring it down as suddenly as Fort Henry has been brought down, we look upon the victory we have gained as being full and complete, as regards the object in view.  Look at the map at that part of Tennessee where Fort Henry is located, and at that point of the Memphis and Ohio railroad which our troops now hold, and see how far we have penetrated in the rear of Bowling Green—see how far in the rear of Columbus—how convenient we are for sweeping down on the railroad to Memphis—see how near we now are to Nashville—and how Nashville is located to the whole State of Tennessee, and that again to the whole of the rebel States of the Southwest, and some idea will be had of the value of the present advance and victory.

COMMODORE FOOTE has been in the naval service over forty years.  He is known in the navy as one of its most efficient officers, and distinguished himself greatly in China by the bombardment and breaching of a Chinese fort, the fort, in all respects, a superior work of masonry.  The feat called forth the praise of all foreign naval officers on that coast.  Commodore Foote is an affable gentleman, and as will be seen by his reply to the rebel Tilghman, never surrenders.

CAPT. PORTER.—Capt. Porter, of the gunboat Essex, who is reported as badly scalded by the bursting of his boat’s boiler, is a native of Louisiana, but entered the navy from Massachusetts in 1823.  He is a son of the renowned Commodore Porter, who figured so prominently in the war of 1812.  He has been thirty-eight years in the service, and has seen twelve years sea duty.  When the Mississippi flotilla was projected, he was detailed to the command of a gunboat.  The Captain christened his boat the Essex, after his father’s renowned vessel, and judging from precedent, Capt. Porter is the “bull-dog,” or fighting man of this expedition.  He has Dahlgren guns for his armament, and delights in “shelling.”  He worked prodigiously getting his boat ready, and since then he has been cruising around, stirring up the rebels wherever he could find them.

GEN. TILGHMAN, the traitor who commanded at Fort Henry, was graduated at West Point, and made brevet second Lieutenant in the First dragoons in 1836, but shortly after resigned, and became division engineer on the Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad, and afterward on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  In the Mexican war, he re-entered the service as volunteer aid-de-camp to Colonel Twiggs, and was present at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de Palma.  He commanded a volunteer regiment  till October, 1846, and in January, 1847, was made superintendent of the defences of Matamoras; finally he acted as captain of volunteer artillery in Hughes’ regiment from August, 1847, till July, 1848.  At the close of the war he again entered civil live, and was chosen principal assistant engineer in the Panama Isthmus railroad.  On the breaking out of the war, he was acting railroad engineer, but joined the rebels, and was appointed to command at Fort Henry, where he has been ingloriously captured.

SOURCE: The National Republican, Washington, D.C., Monday, February 10, 1862, p. 2

Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote to Gideon Welles, February 15, 1862

U. S. Flagship St. Louis,                     

Near Fort Donelson (via Paducah), February 15,1862.       

(Received February 16, 1802.)

I made an attack on Fort Donelson yesterday at 3 o'clock p. m., with four ironclad gunboats and two wooden ones, and after one hour and a quarter severe fighting, the latter part of the day within less than 400 yards of the fort, the wheel of this vessel and the tiller of the Louisville were shot away, rendering the two boats unmanageable. They then drifted down the river. The two remaining boats were also greatly damaged between wind and water, this vessel alone having received 59 shots and the others about half that number each. There were 54 killed and wounded in this attack, which we have reason to suppose would, in fifteen minutes more, could the action have been continued, have resulted in the capture of the fort bearing upon us, as the enemy was running from his batteries when the two gunboats helplessly drifted down the river from disabled steering apparatus, as the relieving tackles could not steer the vessels in the strong current, when the fleeing enemy returned to the river battery guns from which they had been driven and again hotly poured fire upon us. The enemy must have brought over twenty guns to bear upon our boats from the water battery and the main fort on the hill, while we could only return the fire with twelve bow guns from the four boats. One rifled gun aboard the Carondelet burst during the action.

The officers and men in this hotly contested but unequal fight behaved with the greatest gallantry and determination, all deploring the accident rendering two of our gunboats suddenly helpless in the narrow river and swift current. On consultation with General Grant and my own officers, as my services here until we can repair damages by bringing up a competent force from Cairo to attack the fort, are much less required than they are at Cairo, I shall proceed to that place with two of the disabled gunboats, leaving the two others here to protect the transports and with all dispatch prepare the mortar boats and the Benton with other boats to make an effectual attack upon Fort Donelson.

I have sent the Tyler to the Tennessee River to render impassable the bridge, so as to prevent the rebels at Columbus reinforcing their army at Fort Donelson.

A. H. Foote,                       

Flag-Officer, Comdg. Naval Forces, Western Division.

Hon. Gideon Welles,

Secretary Navy.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 22, p. 584-5

A Fatal Shell

On the night of the battle of Pittsburg, a rebel Georgia regiment drew up in line near the river to make a terrible charge on our ranks.  Unluckily for them one of our gunboats got in ranged with the regiment and fired a large shell.  The shell stuck fairly on the end of the line and ploughed its way through the living wall until it came to the centre, when it exploded, making the most awful havoc and slaughter.  The rebels broke into a precipitate flight. – Nashville Union.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 14, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

Special to Chicago Times

CAIRO, May 6.

The steamer Ella, from Pittsburg Landing, with advices to nine o’clock last night, has arrived.

Gen. Halleck has issued an order restraining civilians and all others from visiting the army.  The steamers going up during the last week have been crowded with civilians, going to gratify their curiosity by the sight of a battle, none of whom have been allowed to pass the lines.

Four deserters came in on Sunday, and reported that the enemy had not evacuated Corinth, but, on the contrary, had been largely reinforced of late.  Other deserters, however, report that Beauregard has withdrawn the greater part of his forces.  It has been impossible to ascertain which of these reports is correct.

The guerilla Morgan again made an attack on our pickets at Savannah on Sunday, but was driven back after light skirmishing.

The steamer Brown reached here this morning from Ft. Pillow, but brought nothing of interest.  The rebel fleet had not made its promised attack.  Preparations were quietly making for an active bombardment of the rebel stronghold.

At the election held here to-day for a member of Congress from the 9th Congressional district, votes were cast as follows: Judge Allen, of Williamson county, 210; Haynie, 83; Marshal, 29; Dougherty, 22; Sloan 1.

The nomination of Marcellus V. Strong for asst. Adjt. Gen. on the staff of General Strong, commanding at this post, has been confirmed by the Senate.

The steamer Bowen, which arrived here this p. m. from above, brought intelligence that a party of Capt. Hollin’s company of flying artillery, while out on a scouting excursion near Paducah last night, were captured by a company of rebel guerillas.

Up to Monday night no general engagement had taken place at Corinth.  Orders had been issued to troops to march on Sunday night but the movement was prevented by condition of roads, which heavy rains had made impossible on Sunday morning.  Gen. Pope, by placing a battery of artillery in an open field at Farmington, in sight of three rebel regiments, succeeded in drawing them on to take the artillery, and took the whole force prisoners, numbering nearly 2,000.  Several deserters [came] into our camp on Monday, and reported that great dissatisfaction exists in the rebel army, both among officers and men.  Beauregard had made a speech to some of the troops saying that he would make a desperate stand, and force the Federal army to retreat, and he appealed to them to stand by him.

A band of guerrillas still maintain warfare on all passing steamboats, and on Sunday drove in our pickets around Savannah, but fled on the approach of our infantry.  The Gunboat Tyler is now plying between Clifton and Pittsburg Landing, shelling the woods where the rebels are supposed to be located.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 2

A Good Report from Tennessee and Alabama

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25. – The Navy Department to-day received the following:

CAIRO, Feb. 24.

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Sec’y of the Navy

Lieutenant Commanding Gwynn with the gunboat Tyler has just arrived from Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, and reports the Union sentiment in South Tennessee and North Alabama to be very strong.  I shall send him back to-day, and he will call for a regiment at Fort Henry to accompany the gun-boat, which will aid the loyal people of those States to raise Union forces within their borders.

(Signed)

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag-Officer Commanding.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3 

Tennessee River Expedition – Official Report of Lieut. S. L. Phelps

U. S. GUNBOAT, “CONESTOGA,”

Tennessee River, February 10, 1862

Flag Officer H. H. Foote, U. S. N. Commanding

Naval Forces Western Waters

SIR – Soon after the surrender of Ft. Henry on the 6^th inst., I proceeded in obedience to your orders up the Tennessee river with the Tyler, Lieut. Commanding Gwin, Lexington, Lieut. Commanding Shirk, and this vessel, forming a division of the Flotilla, and arrived after dark at the railroad crossing, 25 miles above the Fort, having destroyed on the way a small amount of camp equipage abandoned by the fleeing rebels.  The draw of the bridge was found to be closed and the machinery for turning it disabled.  About one and a half miles above were several rebel transport steamers escaping up stream.  A party was landed, and in one hour I had the satisfaction to see the draw open.  The Tyler being the slowest of the gun boats, Lieut. Gwin landed a force to destroy a portion of the railroad track, and to secure such military stores as might be found while I directed Lieut. Shirk to follow me with all speed in chase of the fleeing boats.  In five hours this boat succeeded in forcing the rebels to abandon and burn three of their boats, loaded with military stores.  The first one fired (Samuel Orr) had on board a quantity of submarine batteries which very soon exploded.  The second was freighted with powder, cannon shot, grape, balls, &c.  Fearing an explosion from the fired boats (there were two together) I stopped at a distance of 1,000 yards, but even then our sky lights were shattered by the concussion, the light upper deck was raised bodily, doors were forced open and locks and fastenings everywhere broken.  The whole river for half a mile around about was completely beaten up by the falling fragments and the shower of shot, grape, balls, &c.  The house of a reputed Union man was blown to pieces, and it was suspected there was design in landing the rebels in front of the doomed house.  The Lexington having fallen astern, and without a pilot on board, I concluded to wait for both of the boats to come up.  Joined by them we proceeded up the river.  Liut. Gwin had destroyed some of the trestle work at the end of the bridge, burning with them a lot of the camp equipage.  J. N. Brown, formerly a Lieutenant in the Navy, now signing himself Lieut. C. S. N. had fled with such precipitation as to leave his papers behind.  These Lieut. Gwin brought and I send them to you, as they give an official history of the rebel floating preparations on the Mississippi, Cumberland and Tennessee.  Lieut. Brown had charge of the construction of gunboats. – At night on the 7^th we arrived at a landing in Hardee county, Tenn. Known as Cerro Gordo, where we found the steamer Eastport being converted into a gunboat.  Armed boat crews were immediately sent on board, and search made for means of destruction that might have been devised.

She had been scuttled, and the suction pipes broken.  These leaks were soon stopped.  A number of rifle shots were fired at our vessels, but a couple of shells dispersed the rebels.  On examination I found that there were large quantities of timber and lumber prepared for fitting up the Eastport, that the vessel itself, some two hundred and eighty feet long was in excellent condition and already half finished.  Considerable of the plating designed for her was lying on the bank and everything at hand to complete her.  I therefore directed Lieutenant Commanding Gwin to remain with the Tyler to guard the prize, and to load the lumber, &c., while the Lexington and Conestoga should proceed still higher up.  Soon after daylight we passed Easport, Mississippi, and at Chickasaw, farther up near the State line, seized two steamers the Sallie Wood and Muscle, the former laid up the latter freighted with iron destined for Richmond and for rebel uses.

We then proceeded on up the river, entering the State of Alabama and ascending to Florence at the foot of Muscle Shoals.  On coming in sight of the town three steamers were discovered, which were immediately set on fire by the rebels.  Some shots were fired from the opposite side of the river below.   A force was landed and considerable quantities of supplies, marked “Fort Henry” were secured from the burning wrecks.  Some had been landed and stored.  These I [secured], putting such as we could bring away on board our vessels, and destroying the remainder.  No flats or other craft could be found.  I found also more of the iron plating intended for the Eastport.

A deputation of the citizens of Florence waited upon me, first desiring that they might be able to quiet the fears of their wives and daughters with assurance from me that they should not be molested and secondly, praying that I would not destroy their railroad bridge.  As for the first, I told them that we were neither ruffians nor savages, and that we were there to protect from violence and to enforce the law, and with reference to the second that if the bridge was away we could ascend no higher, and that it could possess, so far as I saw no military importance, as it simply connected Florence itself with the railroad on the south side of the river.  We had seized three of their steamers, one the half finished gunboat, and had forced the rebels to burn six others loaded with supplies, and their loss with that of the freight, is a severe loss to the enemy.  Two boats are still known to be on the river, and are doubtless hidden in some of the creeks where we shall be able to find them when there is time for the search.  We returned on the night of the 8^th to where the Eastport lay.  The crew of the Tyler had already gotten on board of the prize an immense amount of lumber etc.  The crews of the boats set to work to finish it immediately, and we have brought away, probably 250,000 feet of the best quality of ship and building lumber, all the iron machinery, spikes, and plating, nails, etc., belonging to the rebel gunboat, and I caused the mill to be destroyed where the lumber had been sawed.  Lieut. Commanding Gwin, in our absence, enlisted some twenty-five Tennesseeans, who gave information of the encampment of Colonel Drew’s rebel regiment at Savannah, Tennessee.  A portion of the six hundred or seven hundred men were known to be pressed men and all were badly armed.  After consultation with Lieutenants Commanding Gwin and Shirk I determined to make a land attack on the encampment. – Lieutenant Commanding Shirk with thirty riflemen came on board the Conestoga, leaving his vessel to guard the Eastport and accompanied by the “Tyler,” we proceeded up to that place prepared to land 130 riflemen, and a 12 pound rifled howitzer.  Lieutenant Commanding Gwin took command of this force when landed, but had the mortification to find the encampment deserted.  The rebels had fled at 10 o’clock, at night, leaving considerable quantities of arms, clothing, shoes, camp utensils, provisions, implements, etc., all of which were secured or destroyed, and their winter quarters of log huts were burned.  I seized also a large mail bag, and send you the letters giving military information.

The gunboats were then dropped down to a point where arms gathered under the rebel (press) law had been stored and an armed party, under Second Master Goudy, of the Tyler, succeeded in seizing 70 rifles and fowling pieces.  Returning to Cerro Gordo, we took the Eastport, Sable Woods and Muscle in tow, and came down the river to the railroad crossing.  The Muscle sprung a leak, and all efforts failed to prevent her from sinking and we were forced to abandon her, and with her a considerable quantity of fine lumber.  We are having trouble in getting through the draw of the bridge here.

I now come to the most interesting portion of the report, one which has already become lengthy, but I trust you will find some excuse for this in the fact that it embraces a history of labors and movements day and night, from the 6^th to the 10^th of the month all of which details I deem it proper to give you.  We have met with the most gratifying proofs of loyalty everywhere across Tennessee, and in the portions of Mississippi and Alabama we visited. – Most affecting incidents greeted us almost hourly.  Men, women and children several times gathered in crowds of hundred, and shouted their welcome and hailed their national flag with an enthusiasm there was no mistaking.  It was genuine and heartfelt.  These people braved everything to go to the river bank, where a sight of their flag might once more be enjoyed, and they have experienced, as they related, every possible form of persecution.  Tears flowed freely down the cheeks of men as well as of women, and there were those who had fought under the stars and stripes at Moultrie, who in this manner testified to their joy.  This display of feeling and sense of gladness at our success, and the hopes it created in the breasts of so many people in the heart of the Confederacy astonished us not a little, and I assure you, Sir, I would not have failed to witness it for any consideration.  I think it has given us all a higher sense of the character of our present duties.  I was assured at Savannah that of several hundred troops there, more than one half, had we gone to the attack in time, would have hailed us as deliverers, and gladly enlisted with the national force.  In Tennessee, the people generally, in their enthusiasm, braved secessionists and spoke their views freely, but in Mississippi and Alabama what was said was guarded, “If we dared express ourselves freely, you would bear such a shout greeting your coming as you never heard.  We know that there are many Unionists among us, but a reign of terror makes us afraid of our shadow.”  We were told, too, “Bring us a small, organized force, with arms and ammunition for us and we can maintain our position and put down rebellion in our midst.”  There were, it is true, whole communities who, on our approach, fled to the woods, but these were where there was less of the loyal element.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. L. PHELPS,

Lieutenant Commanding, U. S. N.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 1

Reliable Details of the Fight

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, April 10.

We are just beginning to get some reliable details from the great battle at Pittsburg.  From several gentlemen who were on the field afterwards on in the fight, the following are gathered and sent.  Our informant left the battle field on Wednesday morning at 5 o’clock:

The rebels Attacked Prentiss’s brigade 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, while they were at breakfast.  It consisted of the 61^st Illinois, 16^th Wisconsin, 24^th Indiana and 71^st Ohio.  The rebels were said to be 120,000 strong.  Prentiss had no artillery.  His brigade was cut to pieces, and forced to retire, with Prentiss and many other prisoners.  At 12 m. the entire line was fiercely engaged, but in full retreat.

At 4 p. m. the enemy had taken Swartz’s battery – 6 guns, Dresden’s, of 4 guns, Waterhouse’s battery, 2 rifled Ohio 56-guns, and another Ohio battery.  Thousands of our soldiers had taken refuge under the bank of the river, and utterly refused to fight – in fact they could not, for officers and men were in inextricable confusion, and the army seemed utterly demoralized.

Gen. Mitchell’s [sic] division, about this time arrived on the opposite shore with 15,000 men, who were ferried across during the night.

The gunboats Lexington and Tyler opened a tremendous fire of shell upon the enemy, and kept it up every half hour during the night, saving the army from utter ruin. – They set the woods on fire, and many of the rebels were burned.  At 7 the firing generally ceased.  At midnight the rebels attempted to plant a battery within three hundred yards of our siege guns, but they were driven back by the gunboats and siege guns, supported by three regiments of Mitchell’s division.

Our informants persist in estimating our loss on Sunday at 3,000 killed and 5,000 wounded as a low figure.  It was undoubtedly tremendous.  During the night the rebels were reinforced by Price and Van Dorn from Arkansas, with a very large force.

Gen. Lew Wallace came up from Crump’s Landing with the 18^th and 23d Ind., 44^th Ill., 8^th Mo and Willard’s battery, and in the morning fiercely attacked the left wing of the enemy.  They went into the fight on the double quick with tremendous shouts, and did terrible execution.  By 10 o’clock they had driven the rebels back two miles.  The battery performed prodigies of valor.

About 10 o’clock the rebels were reinforced, and for a few minutes our gallant boys were forced to yield.

The other divisions of Buell’s army now appeared and at once became fully engaged, and for two hours all the destructive elements of earth seamed striving for the mastery on that fatal field.  Southern chivalry proved no match for the unflinching courage of the army of freedom, and the rebels fled in all directions with some 12,000 troops.  Gen. Buell followed the fugitives taking thousands of prisoners and smiting without mercy those who would not surrender.  He was reported to have taken Corinth with all the immense stores of arms and ammunition.  Carson, the scout had his head torn off on Monday by a round shot.

The rebel troops were mostly from Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, with many from Georgia and Alabama.  They fought like tigers.  Our informant could ride through the battle field where our forces were posted, but the dead were so thick in the enemy’s line that they could not do it.  They assure us that the rebels surprised our camps on Sunday night, took care of our sick and wounded, but destroyed nothing, expecting confidently to have our entire army the next day.  They thought the battle already won on Sunday.

Gen. McClernand cut his way through the enemy that had surrounded him.  Most of his troops behaved with great gallantry; but the 53^rd Ohio was ordered to the rear in disgrace for refusing to fight.

Capt. Harvy of Bloomington, Illinois is among the killed.

Our informants were assured by those who know the man, that John C. Breckenridge was taken Prisoner.  They saw him pass to the General’s quarters.

It is impossible to get lists of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

ST. LOUIS, March 7.

A special dispatch to the Democrat from Cairo says that Lieut. Gwinn, of the gunboat Tyler, reached there last night from Tennessee river.  The enemy had not resumed their attempt to fortify Pittsburg Landing.  Lieut. Gwinn landed under a flag of truce, and was permitted to go a mile from the river before being stopped by the enemy’s pickets.  His object was to obtain an exchange of prisoners, which had been taken last Saturday.  On the morning after the engagement 9 dead bodies and 100 wounded were found in the enemy’s encampment, which had been removed three miles from the river after the engagement.  Lieut. Gwinn thinks their loss was 20 killed and 100 wounded.  Their force engaged was 1,000 infantry, 500 cavalry, and 6 pieces of artillery.

At Corinth, Miss., 18 miles from the Tennessee river, the enemy had 15,000 or 20,000 troops.  At Henderson Station, 9 miles from the Tennessee river were 10,000 or 12,000; and at Bear Creek bridge, 7 miles back of Eastport, Miss., were 8,000 or 10,000.  It is also reported that they are fortifying Chickasaw, Ala.

The result of the recent election in Hardin and McCary counties show the strength of the Union sentiment of Southern Tennessee.  The former gave 500 maj. Out of 1,000 votes for the Union candidate; and the latter 200 at of 1,800 votes.  Lieut. Gwinn says the cry of the people is, send us arms and sufficient force to protect an organization, and we will drive the rebels out of Tennessee ourselves.

A second visit to Columbus reveals many facts of interest.  Col. Buford, who has made a complete examination of the earthworks says they are six miles long.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, March 3.

Captain Holeman, of the 7^th Ill. Cavalry, with 46 men, while making a reconnoisance of the country west of Charleston, Mo., came across 90 rebel cavalry, commanded by the veritable Jeff. Thompson, and after pursuing them a long distance forced them to make a stand about five miles below Sikeston.  Jeff.’s artillery was planted in such a manner as to command all approaches, and our forces were compelled to charge in the face of his battery.  This they did with great gallantry and succeeded in capturing four guns and putting the Confederates to flight, with a loss on our part of one man, who straggled from the command and was taken prisoner.  The rebel loss not ascertained.

The steamer Isetta arrived from the Tennessee river yesterday.  She reports that the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, accompanied by the transport Isetta, were approaching Pittsburg, a small town on the Tennessee river about eight miles above Savannah, and when within half a mile of the town were fired upon by a battery located upon a bluff overlooking the river.  The gunboats replied and for one-half hour shot and shell fell thick and furious.

At the expiration of that time the battery was silenced.  The gunboats continued to shell the battery for a half an hour, when, 86 marines and infantry left the boats. – They went ashore, burned one house, and visited one of the confederate camps.  The enemy again opened fire, but our forces repulsed and drove them over the hill.  The enemy’s forces, consisting of cavalry and infantry, being larger than the federals, they were enabled to flank them, and a retreat was ordered.  This was accomplished in good order under heavy fire.

Previous to the retreat our men captured a drum, upon which was painted, “Captured from the federal army at Manassas.”

The battery at Pittsburg had been established since the first visit of our gunboats to Tennessee river.  It is supposed that there were about 1,000 Confederate troops in the vicinity of Pittsburg.  Our loss is 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 3 missing.

The Isetta brought down about 800 bu. Of contraband wheat, belonging to one Russel, a notorious rebel, formerly of Louisville.  This was taken at Clifton.

The Isetta also brought down 20 Union refugees.  The officers of the boat represent the existence of considerable Union Sentiment in that part of Tennessee visited by our gunboats, and say that the woods along the river are full of Union men, who have been driven from their homes and await the arrival of the Federal forces to rid them of their persecutors.

At an election held at Savannah on Saturday, for Sheriff and clerk of the courts, the Union ticket received 370 votes and the secession 45.

A gentleman just arrived from Charlestown, Mo., brings intelligence of the capture of forty men belonging to Jeff. Thompson’s command, and four small 1-poounder guns.  The locality of the capture was five miles south of Sikeston.

Col. J. J. S. Wilson has resigned his position as assistant military manager of telegraphs.

CAIRO, March 1 – 9 P. M.

The sky is now most brilliantly illuminated by the reflection from a large conflagration, in the line of Columbus and apparently as far distant.  It is the opinion that Columbus is burned.  Rumors of its evacuation have been current in the streets all day.

Fresh rumors are rife here this evening of the evacuation of Columbus.  It is reported that the rebels have retreated to Island No. 10, and will make a stand there.  They claim it is the strongest position on the Mississippi river.  Men and pilots here, however, deny its claim in that respect.

The transport Economy was sunk in the Cumberland to-day.

No boats from up the river have arrived to-day.

Secretary Stanton’s recent order is still a theme of discussion here, especially the 3^rd regulation.  Various views of it are entertained, the most recognizing it as a judicious order.  Northern newspapers find their way to the rebels with the utmost regularity.  St. Louis papers reach Columbus daily, probably by bottle navigation.

The various newspaper correspondents at Cairo paid their respects to Gov. Kirkwood of Iowa, this evening.  The Governor has been here for some days, looking after the Iowa wounded.  He is firm in the belief that the rebellion is in process of rapid extinction.

The Cumberland river is very high and rapidly raising.

The Tennessee Legislature is still in session at Memphis.

A very bright light, as of a large conflagration, in the direction of Blandville, was seen from here last night.

The flag of the gallant Iowa 2d, the first which was planted on the enemy’s works at Donelson, arrived yesterday, en route for Iowa.  Three of the color bearers were killed and three wounded.

It is to hang over the speaker’s chair in the Iowa House of Representitives, and after the adjournment of the Legislature will be deposited in the archives of the Historical Society.  The flag bears the marks of the terrible conflict at Donelson, having no less than sixteen bullet holes through it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 1.

There is nothing in the official telegrams last received, to show that the rebels are evacuating Columbus, nor has any information been received from Gen. Buell since the announcement of the taking of Nashville, when he was four miles from that city.  Hence the newspaper reports of rebels being surrounded at Murfreesboro are not reliable.

Dispatches were received at the Navy Department to-day from Commodore Foote, inclosing a report from Lieut. Gwin, in which he says he returned to Cairo on the 23d inst., after having gone up the Tennessee river in the gunboat Tyler as high as Eastport, Miss.  He is happy to state that he has met with an increased Union sentiment in Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama.  He saw few Mississippians.  In Hardin, McNary, Wayne, Decatur and a portion of Hardeman counties, all of which boarder upon the river, the Union sentiment is strong, and those who do not express themselves openly loyal, are only prevented by their fears of the military tyranny and coercion which is practiced by the marauding bands of guerilla companies of cavalry.

Learning that a large quantity of wheat and flour was stored in Clifton, Tenn., intended, of course, to be shipped South, a large portion of it having been bought for a firm in Memphis, on his down trip he landed there and took on board about 1,000 sacks and 100 brls. Of flour and some 6,000 bushels of wheat.  He considered it his duty to take possession of the above to prevent its being seized by the rebels or disposed of in the rebel country.

The glorious success of our armies at Forts Henry and Donelson, he says, has been most beneficial to the Union caused throughout South Tennessee and Alabama.  The Union men can now again dare to express their loyal sentiments without fear of being mobbed, especially along the banks of the river.

He brought down under arrest a man named Wm. H. Pool, who has been active in oppressing [sic] Union men in his community.  He has warned the inhabitants of the different towns along the banks of the river that he would hold the secessionist and their property responsible for any outrages in their community on Unionists, and had enlisted seventeen men and brought down a portion of the refugees.

A dispatch form Com. Goldsborough to Secretary Welles, dated U. S. steamer Philadelphia, off  Roanoke Island, Feb. 23, says the reconnoitering party sent up the Chowan river has returned.  It did not go up beyond Winton.  There the enemy in considerable force opened a heavy fire upon the vessel (the Delaware) in advance, with a battery of artillery and musketry, which induced our force to attack it in return, both by landing the New York 9^th Zuaves and with the guns of the vessels that could be brought to bear upon  the enemy.  The enemy soon took flight, and the houses they occupied as quarters were burned.  Not a man was injured on our side.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

The Navy Department to-day received the following:

CAIRO, February 24.

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:

Lieutenant Commanding Gwynn, with the gunboat Tyler, has just arrived from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and reports the Union sentiment in south Tennessee and North Alabama to be very strong.  I shall send him back to-day, and he will call for a regiment at Fort Henry to accompany the gunboat, which will aid the loyal people of those States to raise Union forces within their borders.

Signed,

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag-Officer Commanding.

The President has approved the fortification bill.  It is therefore a law.

Both Houses yesterday agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the Treasury note bill.  It retains the provision that notes to be redeemable in five years, or payable in 20 years, at the pleasure of the government.  It also makes duties on imports payable in coin and pledges it to the payment of interest on the notes and bonds.  It strikes out the pledges of public lands.

The communication of the Russian government on the subject of the Trent affair, was communicated to the Senate to-day.  It was characterized by the strongest feelings of friendship for the United States.

Special to Tribune.

Several days have passed since a gun has been fired from the rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac, although numerous vessels have sailed by them.  Although the rebel cannon seem to be in their places, it is doubted whethe[r] they be not blackened logs, and whether the gunners have not left the banks of the Potomac.

Two Whitworth guns reached Gen. Hooker’s division yesterday, and will be used to ascertain the truth of the case.

World’s Dispatch.

The indications in the Senate to-day are clearly in favor of the immediate passage of Senator Trumbull’s confiscation bill, with an amendment forfeiting all slaves of rebels.  Senator Powell will deliver a speech to-morrow against the bill, and take occasion to explain his present position as a Senator, it being intimated that his views are inconsistent with his holding his seat at the present time.

The House judiciary committee are nearly agreed on confiscation, but may possibly await the action of the Senate.

The tremendous gale, that commenced so furiously on Monday, has dried up the mud, and prepared a solid ground for our soldiers to march over.  Already a wonderful change has taken place, and the soldiers are becoming confident that they are to move at last.

Times’ Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch, an hour since, from the west, confirming the report that Nashville, Tenn., is taken by Gen. Buell’s army, and stating that the rebels have fallen back to Murphysville, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

The judgment of the Court Martial in the case of Col. Jas. Kerrigan, has been approved by Maj. Gen. McClellan, and a general order issued, carrying it into effect. – The court did not find Kerrigan guilty of treason, but of inefficiency and conduct unbecoming an officer of his military duty, and manifested in the disorganized and disgraceful condition of his regiment.  Kerrigan was adjudged to be dismissed from the service.

Much excitement has been occasioned by the discovery that the bill introduced by Mr. Wade, from the conduct of the war committee, and passed some time since, authorizing the President to take possession of railroads, also authorized him to extend railroads by construction.  It appears, that since the passage of this bill, a contract has been made by the War Department to build a railroad, 180 miles long, from Lebanon, Ky., to Knoxville, Tenn.  To-day the House repealed that portion of the bill almost unanimously, and there is talk of a motion to discharge the conduct of the war committee from further action.

It is understood that a resolution has been adopted in executive session of the Senate, calling for information relative to the alleged improper acts of Gen. Blenker.

Gen. Sturgis’ confirmation is hung up by the Senate.

The forces on the Potomac will not be paid until the paymasters are through with those battling for the Union in the West and on the seaboard.

Gen. Fremont was not at Saturday’s ceremony in the House, because the invitation did not rich him till yesterday.

Col. Lee, from Richmond, brought to this Government a communication from Howell Cobb, relating ostensibly to an exchange of prisoners, but probably to other matters, also.

Mr. Trumbull’s speech on the confiscation bill to-day, was very strong, and had a marked effect; taking the ground, among other things that the rebels, and not the loyal men, ought to pay the expenses of this war.  The bill will have a decided majority in the Senate.

News from Leavenworth has rendered tolerably certain Gen. Lane’s return to the Senate.

The Mexican treaty resolutions, &c., were defeated in executive session of the Senate.  Ayes 8, nays 28.  This carries the rejection of Gen. Scott as additional minister to Mexico.

Mr. Blair’s bill, from the House military committee, for an engineer brigade, is believed to have connection with the Danville and Knoxville Railroad, and also with the recent appointment of Amasa Stone, the great railroad contractor of Cleveland, as Brigadier General.

WASHIGNTON, Feb. 26.

Pre President has approved the United States note law, and it is therefore a law.

Special to Post.

WASHIGTON, Feb. 26.

New mail routes are to be speedily opened in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue certificates of indebtedness to government creditors whose accounts have been audited, will probably pass the House.

The following notice to the public has just been published:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.

The undersigned, on behalf of the commissioners appointed by the President to represent the interests of such American citizens as might desire to appear at the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to be held in the city of London during the present year, submit the following statements:

The Congress of the United States, after due consideration, has declined to adopt any measures to further a national representation of our works of industry, invention and art, at the aforementioned exhibition.  The authority of the Commissioners has, therefore occurred.  They have advised the Commissioners appointed by the British Government that there will be no general participation on the part of the people of this country on the occasion; but they have thought it not improper, at the same time, to recommend to the consideration of the royal commissioners such works of industry and art as have received the authentication of the commission and may to a limited extent be presented for exhibition through individual exertions.

Signed,

WM. H. SEWARD.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, Feb. 25.

Nashville was yesterday occupied by ten thousand troops under Gen. Buell, and the Federal flag is now flying over the State House.

The Tennessee Legislature adjourned on Saturday week, and met again yesterday at Memphis.

It is reported that commissioners have been appointed to confer with the Federal authorities at Washington, to arrange terms for a transfer of allegiance, and that Gov. Harris offered to turn the confederate forces over to the Union.

Secessionism is on the wane, and Unionism in the ascendant.  Union men threaten terrible retribution upon their persecutors.

Fielding Hurst, of Purdy, McHenry Co., Tenn., ten miles from [Corinth], Miss., arrived last night.  He was first arrested by order of Gov. Harris on the 2d of December, confined twenty-seven days in a dungeon at Nashville, and released by outside pressure brought to bear on the judge who had sentenced him to be hung for treason to the Confederate States.

He was again arrested, taken to Columbus, kept two days, and permitted to return to Purdy, by Rev. Gen. Polk, to establish his innocence.  He started from the guard and was taken on board the gunboat Tyler and brought to Cairo.  He represents a general union sentiment in Tennessee, and thinks the Legislature will acquiesce in the recommendation of Gov. Harris, because fearful of the rising of the Union sentiment.

When he left Columbus there were 30,000 Confederate troops there, who were confident of whipping the d----d Yankees on land, though they confessed themselves no[t] much on water.  When first released he gave a recognizance in $25,000 for his loyalty to the Confederate army.

Another gentleman, who arrived from Nashville last night, reports the Confederates will make another stand at Murfreesboro.

All the rebel troops had left Nashville except the police force, who were picking up stragglers.

When Gov. Harris fled from Nashville with the Legislature to Memphis he burnt the State library and distributed a large amount of commissary stores and provisions among the citizens.  Stores are closed and business is entirely suspended.  Secessionists are leaving with their stock and negroes and following the Confederate army.

Geo. T. Lewis, proprietor of the Cumberland rolling mills, burned by the gunboat St. Louis, and who was brought to Cairo a prisoner of war, to-day took the oath of allegiance and was released upon parole. – He leaves for Fort Donelson and home this afternoon, and expresses the utmost gratitude for the humane treatment received and returns a confirmed Unionist.  He has been under charge of Col. Murphy, of the 9th Wisconsin, while at Cairo.

Walker Tyler, nephew of ex-President Tyler, was among the rebels at Fort Donelson.  He was wounded, and escaped afterwards.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

The Latest from Fort Donelson

A TERRIBLE BATTLE PROGRESSING.

The Loss Sever on both Sides.

Our men Fight like Tigers.

THE REBELS HOIST THE BLACK FLAG.

CUMBERLAND RIVER,

NEAR FORT DONALSON [sic], Feb. 15.

The Chicago Tribune, to relieve the anxiety of the people, presents the following special to be sent in advance of publication:

Our firing commenced again at daybreak and continued at intervals all day long up to 4 o’clock.  No Movement or assault by the land force had been made.  Night before last an attempt was made by the rebels to take Taylor’s battery of light artillery, but they were repulsed by two regiments and driven back beyond their entrenchments.  Our loss in wounded is considerable but not more than 3 or 4 are dangerously wounded.

Six gunboats arrived yesterday and commenced an attack on the fort at 2 p.m.  The firing was very rapid and severe, and lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, when our gun boats fell back.

The four iron clad boats went within 300 yards of the Fort.

All of the river guns except six were either dismounted or silenced.  The first shot fired from the Louisville dismounted the rebels’ 128 pounder.  The Louisville received fifty-seven shots, two of which took effect, on striking the starboard side of her deck and passing through the length of the boat, and broke her tiller rope a short distance from the pilot house.  The rope was then managed by some of the hands, when a shell from the Taylor [sic], which lay some distance astern, burst over the Louisville, scattering the men at the tiller rope and so much disabled the steering tackle that the boat was compelled to drop astern.

One shot struck the Pittsburg in the bow and stove an immense hole in her, which caused her to withdraw out of action.  The leak however, has been stopped.

One shot struck the pilot house of the St. Louis, passing through it between the pilot’s legs without injuring him.  All of the boats were more or less injured, but none but the Louisville seriously.  There were 5 killed and two wounded on the Louisville.

The gunboats will not be in condition to renew their attack before to-morrow morning.  In consequence of the [height] of the bluffs on which their fortifications are built, our shot cannot have as much effect on them as those of Fort Henry; therefore it will require a much longer time to reduce this fort.

The rebels have raised the black flag.  It can be seen flying from the bank, a short distance above here.

CAMP IN THE FIELD, near Ft. Donelson,

Feb 15th, p.m.

The right wing of our forces commenced the storming of the right wing of Fort Donelson about noon, and have taken the right wing of the enemy’s fortification, over which the stars and stripes are now floating in triumph.  The opposing forces are now almost breast to breast, ready to open the work of death on each other almost at any moment.

We have lost two Lieut. Cols. Killed, one of whom is Lieut. Col. Smith, of the 48th Illinois and two Cols. Wounded.  The 18th regiment fought like tigers, and are [badly] cut up.  The loss on both sides is pretty severe.  More particulars soon.

Schwartz’s battery captured by the rebels this morning has been retaken.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 15.

Assistant Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott arrived here to-night from Cairo.  He reports that the fighting at Fort Donelson was suspended on both sides yesterday. – Our troops are suffering considerable from exposure, being unprovided with tents. – They are in excellent spirits, however, and are eager to resume the battle.

Dispatches to Gov. Yates, from the commanding officer at Cairo, state that the fort is completely invested, the enemy driven in from their outworks, and all chances for retreat or reinforcements cut off.

Col. Morrison is said to be severely, but not mortally wounded.

The success of the army is considered beyond the possibility of doubt.

The supposition at Cairo is, that Columbus will be attacked at once by land forces from below and by the river from above.

Gen. Grant is said to have at least 50,000 men under his command.

Several mortar boats are leaving Cairo daily.

Gen. Halleck telegraphs Gen. McClellan that the fort is completely invested – retreat form it and reinforcements to it being cut off.

Surrender or extermination appear to be the alternative.

Pillow, Floyd, Buckner and other noted rebels are in the fort.

Four Brigadier Generals are reported now in the Fort.  Gens. Pillow, Buckner, Floyd and Johnston [sic].

Altogether out loss to-day is about 250 in killed and wounded.  Capt. Mitchell of the 7th Ills. Was killed early in the morning.

Col. Ogelsby says, we came here to take that fort, and we do not intend to leave until we do it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 2